Don't Miss:

Field Notes: Petco Park, Home of the San Diego Padres

As you're sprucing up your lawn this spring, baseball grounds crews are getting their turf in tiptop shape. Don't miss these great photos, fun facts and insider tips from some of the country's most popular baseball parks and stadiums.

Petco Park, San Diego

Petco Park, San Diego

Q: What type of grass is used for the field's turf? A: The field uses 328 Hybrid Bermuda over-seeded with Chaparral Perennial Ryegrass.

Petco Park, San Diego

Q: How often is the grass on the field mowed during the season?A: Maintenance on the playing field is year round because of the mild weather in San Diego and because special events are held at the ballpark throughout the year. The field gets mowed every game day for consistency, and is mowed as needed when the team is out.

Petco Park, San Diego

Q: What kind of soil is used on the field, and where does it come from?A:The grass is grown on 90 percent USGA-spec sand and 10 percent Dakota Peat Moss. The infield skin is approximately 50 percent sand, 25 percent silt and 25 percent clay. The warning track is a crushed lava cinder that is 1/8-inch and comes from a dormant volcano in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Petco Park, San Diego

Q: How are the turf patterns created? Are there patterns for special occasions, etc.?A: The grounds crew designs and determines the turf pattern. For opening day, the crew may mow in the "SD" pattern, which is popular among fans, but the turf pattern used for the remainder of the year is strictly for consistent ball-roll and a good, predictable, playable field — attributes the crew regards as more important than aesthetics.

Petco Park, San Diego

Q: What turf heights are used on the field? Are there height differences between infield and outfield?A: Currently the mowing height for the entire playing field is 5/8 inches. This has varied in the past, with heights for games as low as 1/2 inch and as high as 3/4 inch. There have also been times in the past when the infield grass has been mowed to a different height from the outfield.

Petco Park, San Diego

Q: How is the field surface constructed, and are there special or "hidden" features to help manage irrigation or maintenance?A: The drainage lines for the field are cut into the subgrade and run every 30 feet across the field. The main drainage line runs around the warning track underground. The entire system works by gravity. The irrigation lines are on top of the subgrade in 4 inches of pea gravel. On top of that is 12 inches of root-zone or sand.

Petco Park, San Diego

Q: How are lines, logos and other decorations applied to the field? What kinds of paints are used?A: The crew uses standard turf paint from World Class. Logos are laid out for opening day, but the "SD" behind the plate remains for the entire year.